General Information for verification
- Service areas: In principle, we can only authenticate documents that have been issued within our service area which includes Northern California, Nevada and Utah..
- Documents can be verified through this office: Power of Attorney, Birth Certificate, Death Certificate, Driving License, Academic Degree, Commercial Document, Marriage License, and Divorce Decree.
- For the authentication of some special or unusual documents, please call or fax this office in advance to make sure the procedure and supporting documents needed in the process.
- Please prepare an extra copy for the purpose of filing.
- The raised Stamps will affix on the original document. If you want them intact, please advise us and have an extra copy ready.
- Processing fee is $15. Should a Chinese translation is needed; please have it done by oneself or a competent translator, and notarized by a Northern California, Nevada, Utah Notary Public. This office does not offer translation service. The Chinese version must come with the English one. The processing fee is $30 for one set of English document and the Chinese version. Please pay by cash, money order, or cashier check, payable to TECO. Credit card and personal check are not accepted.
- Processing time will take 3 weeks once we receive the application.
- If the application is done by mail, please have a postage-paid return envelope ready. This office will not be held liable for lost or any delay by mail.
- Commercial Documents need to be notarized by a notary public, and then certified by State Secretary. If documents are over one page, please ask notary public to stamp the seal over pages.
How to apply for the legalization:
1. A duly completed document authentication application form.
2. Present the ID (passport or driver license) and a photocopy of ID to this office.
3. Original documents to be legalized and an extra copy for filing.
4. Application fee
5. Return by mail: please include either a self-addressed and stamped USPS Express Mail Envelope with $32 postage, or a priority envelope with $16 postage (priority plus certified with signature required)
6. International Express mail US$76 (International mail services accepted only to those applicants residing outside the U.S.)
